How true; last spring, Weber State upped its tuition 6 percent and fees 3 percent. In fact, the latest tuition hike proposal is the lowest in the past few years. The "least-expensive public university in the state of Utah," as Tarbox put it, will, if passed, cost full-time (15 hours) undergraduate residents $2,384.06 a semester.

And we wonder why there is a huge, alarming, growing problem with student debt overwhelming adults in this nation.

Weber State University is a great school, with high-quality faculty who have provided quality educations for students. We understand it faces annual budget pressures. Nevertheless, the constant increases in tuition and fees in virtually all universities is a problem that won't go away and must be addressed. The increases are pricing middle-class students out of the market for a university education. The fact that Weber State is the lowest-priced public university in Utah is alarming. The only alternative for many students is to get a student loan with debt that follows long after their graduation.

There needs to be a serious effort from our state leaders, and university professionals, to find a way to stop this constant high increase in university costs. If no real effort is taken, it won't be long until $3,000, $4,000, and more will be regarded as the "lowest tuition in the state."